ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM Participates in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated virtually in the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan earlier today. The Meeting was convened by Italy, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mr. Mario Draghi. Issues under consideration at the meeting related to the humanitarian situation; concerns relating to terrorism; and human rights in Afghanistan.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the meeting to take stock of the current situation in Afghanistan. He emphasized the centuries old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan. The Prime Minister mentioned that over the last two decades, India has contributed to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan. He recalled that over 500 development projects have been implemented by India in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister noted that the Afghan people have a great feeling of friendship for India. He conveyed that every Indian feels the pain of Afghan people facing hunger and malnutrition. He emphasized the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.
The Prime Minister also underlined the need to ensure that Afghan territory does not become a source of radicalization and terrorism, regionally or globally. He emphasized on the need to enhance our joint fight against the nexus of radicalization, terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and arms in the region.
In order to preserve the socio-economic gains of the last 20 years and to restrict the spread of radical ideology, the Prime Minister called for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which includes women and minorities. He conveyed support for the important role of the United Nations in Afghanistan and called for renewed support of the G20 for the message contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2593 on Afghanistan. The Prime Minister called on the international community to forge a unified international response without which it would be difficult to bring about the desired change in Afghanistan’s situation.
Special Service and Features
GeM signs a MoU with Kerala Small Scale Industries Association- KSSIA
Kochi : October 06, 2023
GeM , India’s national public procurement portal for goods and services has signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with Kerala Small Scale Industries Association - KSSIA to jointly enhance the GeM seller base in Kerala. The MoU was signed in a function held at KSSIA Bhavan in Kalamassery today.
This MoU is intended to support the efforts of GeM to onboard more sellers from Kerala on GeM portal and KSSIA’s effort to promote participation of their members in procurement through GeM. The MoU will help to collaborate and jointly run capacity-building workshops and training programs pertaining to GeM, which will benefit small-scale industries in Kerala.
This partnership will also help to collaborate on initiatives of national importance, such as Make in India, Start-up India, etc. The MOU outlines the commitments and collaborative efforts of both parties to promote transparency, efficiency and inclusivity in public procurement processes. The partnership between GeM and KSSIA holds immense potential for growth and development in the small industry sector in Kerala.
Shri Prakash Mirani, Additional CEO, Government e Marketplace, Shri A V Muralidharan, Deputy CEO, Government e Marketplace, Shri A Nizarudeen, State President, KSSIA and Shri PJ Jose, General Secretary, KSSIA were present in the function .
GeM caters to the diverse procurement needs of goods and services for all Central Government and State Government Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Units  and affiliated organisations. KSSIA is the apex MSME association in Kerala for the promotion and welfare of the MSME units in Kerala. KSSIA has 14 units, one in every Revenue District of Kerala with nearly 12,000 direct unit holders in its membership folder and nearly 4000 indirect members.
Kerala Government organizations have made cumulative procurement worth Rs 1500 crore since 2016, when the GeM portal was launched. The last 2 financial years  have contributed close to Rs 850 crore. Kerala has more than 2500 active sellers who have uploaded catalogues on GeM Portal and secured orders. Kerala-based sellers have secured orders worth more than Rs 800 Crores. Recognizing this potential for collaboration, the GeM is signing the MoU to spearhead a strategic partnership with KSSIA.
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Ministry of Defence
LT GEN CP MOHANTY, VICE CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF, SUPERANNUATES FROM SERVICE
Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, superannuates from service after four decades of illustrious service. His tenure in the office will be remembered for the huge increase in emergency financial powers to purchase urgently required weapon platforms and equipment and the impetus given to induction of niche and disruptive technologies in the Army. As the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, he was instrumental in executing a number of critical procurement decisions, especially involving emergency procurement to augment own preparedness along Northern borders. He also laid emphasis on modern methods of training and education within the Army to deal with the emerging national security challenges.
An alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Lt Gen CP Mohanty was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment on 12 Jun 1982. In a career spanning four decades, the General officer served across a wide spectrum of conflicts and terrain profiles and tenanted a host of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. He commanded a battalion on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and later in the North East. He has the unique distinction of commanding two brigades: first on the Line of Actual Control and later on, the multinational UN Brigade in Democratic Republic of Congo. He later commanded the Rangiya based Division in a counter insurgency environment and the Sikkim based Trishakti Corps immediately after the Doklam incident. Before taking over as the Vice Chief, the General Officer commanded the Pune-based Southern Command of the Indian Army.
An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College Wellington, Higher Defence Management Course Secunderabad and the National Defence College New Delhi, the General Officer’s staff and instructional assignments include an instructional tenure at NDA, Brigade Major of an Armoured Brigade, Military Advisor in Seychelles, Colonel Military Secretary  in the MS Branch, Brigadier General Staff  of a Corps in the Eastern Theatre and Director General, Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement.
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SC/VBY/GKA
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Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President calls for a people’s movement to protect environment
Youth should be at the forefront of environmental movements: VP
Shri Naidu releases book on late Shri Palla Venkanna, renowned conservationist
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, today called for a people's movement to protect the environment and urged people to voluntarily participate in various conservation activities.
In particular, Shri Naidu called upon the youth to proactively lead environmental movements from the front and motivate others to adopt sustainable practices. They should drive the point among people that “If we take care of nature, nature in turn will take care of mankind”, he said.
Shri Naidu was speaking at the book release of ‘Nursery Rajyaniki Raraju’, a book on the life story of the late Shri Palla Venkanna, who is credited with transforming the village of Kadiyam in Andhra Pradesh into a popular hub of plant nurseries.
The Vice President expressed his appreciation for Shri Venkanna for his tireless efforts towards a 'Green Bharat'. He said that Shri Venkanna, who collected over 3000 varieties of plants from around the country, believed that ‘if every home can turn green, the country as a result will turn green’. Shri Palla Venkanna’s life story remains an inspiration to future generations, Shri Naidu remarked.
Noting the effects of rapid urbanisation and deforestation, Shri Naidu said that there has been an increased frequency of extreme weather events in recent times such as flash floods and landslides in different parts of the world. 'These are clear signs that climate change is real and it cannot be business as usual anymore’, he said.
To mitigate such weather events, Shri Naidu said that, going forward, it is imperative that we co-exist harmoniously with nature. We must balance our developmental needs with environmental protection and make sure everyone understands the importance of sustainable living. “Meaningful development is possible only when it takes into account the cost on environment”, Shri Naidu added.
On the occasion, he lauded the Telangana government for taking up plantation of trees as a movement under 'Haritha Haram'. He suggested that all the state governments should take initiative in creating awareness among the children about environmental protection and tree plantation from the school level.
Home Minister of Telangana, Shri Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Former Member of Parliament, Shri Undavalli Arun Kumar, prominent psychologist, Dr. B.V. Pattabhiram, CEO of Emesco Books, Shri Vijayakumar, journalist Shri K. Ramachandramurthy, Raithu Nestham founder, Shri Yadlapally Venkateswara Rao, author of the book, Shri Valleeshwar, family members of late Shri Palla Venkanna and others were present on the occasion.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
FM: Action taken against 271 companies in last three years to safeguard investors
In order to redress investors ‘grievances, action has been initiated against 95 companies in 2016-17, 101 companies in 2017-18 and 75 companies in 2018-19 under various provisions of the Companies Act. This was stated by the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Citing rules, Smt. Sitharaman stated that Section 178 & 178 of the Companies Act, 2013 mandate that every company having more than 1,000 shareholders, debenture holders, deposit holders and any other security holders shall constitute a Stakeholders Relationship Committee to consider and resolve the grievances of the security holders of the company.
Further, to safeguard small investors trading in exchanges in stocks of companies that default on payment, Securities and Exchange Board of India , in last three years, has initiated action against 22 companies under section 15-I  of the Sebi Act, 1992 and against 211 companies under section 11B  of the Sebi Act, 1992, the Minister added.
The Minister further informed that during the year FY 2018-19 Sebi has received 2,453 complaints for non-payment of dues and resolved 2,746 complaints which include complaints pertaining to previous years also.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
At 85.9%, Chandigarh has the highestCOVID-19 patients recovery rateamong UTs/States in the country
Chandigarh, 05 July, 2020
At 85.9%, Chandigarh has the highest COVID-19 patients recovery rate among UTs/States in the country, as per the latest update by the Government of India. Also, the states of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in the region are in the list of 21 states/UTswithrecovery ratemore than the national average i.e. 60.77%. It is 74.1% for Haryana, 70.5 % for Punjab and 67.3% for Himachal Pradesh.
Across the country, the number of recovered cases among COVID-19 patients stands at 4,09,082 as of today. During the last 24 hours, a total of 14,856 COVID-19 patients have been cured. This makes number of recovered patients 1,64,268 more thanactive cases.There are 2,44,814 active cases and all are under active medical supervision.
Focussed “Test, Trace, Treat” strategy coupled with various measures recently taken to remove hurdles for COVID-19 testing, there has been a steady rise in the samples tested every day; during the last 24 hours 2,48,934 samples have been tested. The cumulative number of samples tested, as on date, is 97,89,066.
The testing lab network in the country continues to expand. With 786 labs in the government sector and 314 private labs, so there are as many as 1100 labs in the country. These include:Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs: 591 , TrueNat based testing labs: 417  and CBNAAT based testing labs: 92 .
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has issued ‘A Guidance Document for General Medical and Specialised Mental Health Care Settings’. This is available at:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/MentalHealthIssuesCOVID19NIMHANS.pdf
PIB Headquarters
Launching of 7th Economic Census in Tamil Nadu by the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Date: 09-10-2019
The Seventh Economic Census  is being conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation  in 2019. In the current Economic Census, MoSPI has partnered with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as the implementing agency for 7th EC. In the 7th EC, an IT based digital platform for data capture, validation, report generation and dissemination will be used.In Tamil Nadu, the fieldwork for the 7th EC is likely to commence by 2nd week of October 2019. The results of the exercisewill be made available after verification and validation of the field work.
Economic Census will cover all establishments including household enterprises, engaged in production or distribution of goods/services  in non-farm agricultural and non-agricultural sector will be counted. The coverage is same as the one in 6th Economic Census, conducted in 2013.
So far six economic censuses have been conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India. The first Economic Census was undertaken in 1977. The Second EC was carried out in 1980 followed by the Third EC in 1990. The fourth edition took place in 1998 while the fifth EC was held in 2005. The Sixth edition of Economic Census was conducted in 2013. During this period, total number of enterprises in India is 58470000 compared to the 5th EC figure of 42124000 in absolute number and the growth rate is 28 percent.
The employment generation in absolute number for all India during the 6th EC is 127708000 and in 5th EC is 98968000. Employment generation recorded a growth rate of 22.5 percent during the 6th EC.
As per the Sixth Economic Census conducted in the year 2013, 5029402 establishments were found to be in operation in the State of Tamil Nadu. Out of which 2687099 establishments  were found in rural areas and the rest of 2342303 establishments  were found to be located in urban areas.There were 11695183 persons found employed in 5029402 establishments. Out of which, 5586870 persons  were employed in rural areas and 6826214 persons  in urban areas. The manufacturing sector was the largest employer providing employment to 2876243  persons. This was followed by Livestock Sector employing 2789700 persons  and Retail Trade employing 2271470 persons .
Thiru. Banwarilal Purohit, the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Naduwilllaunch the 7th Economic Census on 9th October 2019 at Chennai. Thiru. Pravin Srivastava, Secretary and Chief Statistician of Indiawill deliver the Key Note Address while Thiru. A K Toprani, Addl Director General, NSO  will give special address. Dr. S. Durai Raju, I.S.S., Deputy Director General, NSO , RO, Chennai, Government of India will deliver the welcome address,Thiru. Vinod Kuriakose, State Head Operations, CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, will deliver vote of thanks.
Officers from Government of India, Tamil Nadu State Government, Enumerators and Supervisors level-1 from CSC will also participate in the Launch Programme.
Ministry of Power
Satluj JVN’s Power Stations Clock highest ever monthly Power Generation
Nathpa Jhakri generates 1216.565 MU of power
Rampur Hydro Power Station generates 335.9057 MU of power
Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam ’s Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station has achieved highest ever monthly power generation, surpassing its previous record of 1213.10 Million Units to 1216.56 Million Units on 31st July 2021.
Similarly, the Rampur Hydro Power Station also generated 335.90 Million Units of power in the month of July 2021, beating its previous best 333.69 Million Units in July 2020.
The design energy of 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri is 6612 Million Units and 412 MW Rampur HPS is 1878 Million Units, while these power station generated 7445 Million Units and 2098 Million Units respectively.
SJVN started with a single hydro project in the year 1988 and today, the company has a portfolio of 9000 MW, out of which 2016.5 MW is under operation, 3156 MW is under construction, 4046 MW Projects in pipeline. Today SJVN has a footprint in 9 States in the country and also in 2 foreign countries. The company has also diversified in other fields of energy generation and transmission. SJVN is working towards achieving installed capacity of 5000 MW by 2023, 12000 MW by 2030 and 25000 MW by year 2040.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Additional vials of Remdesivir allocated to all states/UTs for the period 23rd to 30th May : Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda announced that additional 22.17 lac vials of Remdesivir have been allocated to all states/UTs for the period 23rd to 30th May.
He further said that earlier, 76.70 lacs vials of the drug were made to all states till May 23, thus total 98.87 lacs vials of Remdesivir have been allocated across the country so far.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi reviews preparations of Haj 2019
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that it is for the first time after Independence that preparation for next year’s Haj has been started immediately after completion of the current year’s Haj process in India.
Shri Naqvi has reviewed the Haj 2019 preparation meeting here today. Senior officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministries of External Affairs, Civil Aviation and Health along with the representatives of Haj Committee of India, Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia have attended the meeting.
It was observed in the meeting that Haj 2018 was pro-pilgrims, even after removal of Haj subsidy. Elimination of middlemen and 100 percent online and transparent system ensured that even after removal of Haj subsidy, there was no unnecessary financial burden on pilgrims.
For example, actual Haj air fare from Mumbai was Rs 63,750 in 2014 while in 2018, it was Rs 59,424. From Aurangabad, was Rs 83,450 in 2014 and Rs 81,929 in 2018; from Srinagar, it was Rs 1,63,350 in 2014 and it was Rs 101,358 in 2018. From Nagpur, it was Rs 81,950 in 2014, it was Rs 69,201 in 2018. From Gaya, it was Rs 111,500 in 2014 while it was Rs 97,473 in 2018, from Hyderabad it was Rs 66,600 in 2014 and Rs 65,832 in 2018.
In 2017, a total of Rs 1030 crore was paid to airlines for air fare for 1,24,852 Haj pilgrims. Whereas, in 2018, a total of Rs 973 crore were paid to airlines for 1,28,702 Haj pilgrims, going through Haj Committee of India. It means, Rs 57 crore less was paid to airlines this year even after ending the Haj subsidy.
Shri Naqvi said that Haj 2018 was successful. For the first time after the Independence, a record number of 1,75,025 Muslims from India performed Haj this year and that too without any subsidy.
The Minister said that last year, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, in cooperation with Saudi Arabia Haj Consulate, Haj Committee of India and other concerned agencies, had completed preparations for Haj 2018 about 2 months before schedule to ensure smooth Haj pilgrimage. This time, preparations for Haj 2019 are started 3 months before schedule.
Shri Naqvi thanked the Saudi Arabia Government and other concerned agencies in India for successful and smooth Haj 2018.
He said that safety and better facilities, medical facilities for the pilgrims is the priority of the Government and there will be no lackadaisical approach on the matter.
In the meeting, several issues were discussed regarding Haj 2019 such as Haj application process, accommodation, transport and medical facilities for pilgrims etc.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Increase in Number of Haj Pilgrims
Funds for Construction of Haj Houses
“Public Order” and “Police” are State subjects as per the provisions of the Constitution. The responsibility of maintaining law and order, registration and prosecution of crimes against all citizens including minorities, rests with the respective State Governments. Government of India monitors the internal security and law and order situation in the country, and issues appropriate alerts and advisories from time to time to maintain peace, public tranquility and communal harmony. Government also deploys Central Armed Police Forces  to aid and assist State Governments in this regard.
As for Haj pilgrims, the total number of Haj pilgrims from the country is discussed bilaterally between the Government of India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decides the Haj quota for each country including India every year.
As regards subsidy on air travel of Haj pilgrims going through the Haj Committee of India , the same has been discontinued with effect from Haj 2018 and that no Haj pilgrims was provided subsidy by the Government in the year 2019-20.
The Central government has no scheme to construct Haj Houses in the country. Hence no funds are provided by the Central Government for this purpose. The State Governments may however, construct Haj Houses in the respective States through their State Haj Committees. In addition, the Haj Committee of India , a statutory body, under the administrative control of this Ministry provides some financial assistance to State/ Union Territory Haj Committees  for this purpose. As per the information received from HCoI, the number of Haj Houses in the country constructed by the SHCs, State/ UT-wise is annexed.
Haj Houses in the Country, State Governments/ UT Administrations wise
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S.No.
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State/ Union Territory
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Place/ City
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-
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Assam
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Guwahati
|
|
-
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|
Bihar
|
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Patna
|
|
-
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|
Gujarat
|
|
Ahmedabad
|
|
-
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
Srinagar
|
|
-
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
Ranchi
|
|
-
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
Bengaluru
|
|
-
|
|
Kerala
|
|
Calicut
|
|
-
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
Bhopal
|
|
-
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
Mumbai, Nagpur
|
|
-
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|
Rajasthan
|
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Jaipur
|
|
-
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|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
Chennai
|
|
-
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|
Tripura
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Agartala
|
|
-
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|
Telangana
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Hyderabad
|
|
-
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
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|
Ghaziabad, Lucknow
|
|
-
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
Kolkata
This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in written replies to the Lok Sabha today.